“An Amazing Talent” — The Skope Magazine Born in Shanghai in 1986, Zhihua Hu started to learn piano at the age of 5 and composition at 10. She enrolled in Shanghai Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School’s Composition Department in 1997 and studied under professor Erbo Deng and Weihao Qiang. She studied piano under pianist Dong Xia. Having achieved high grades in 2004 after being enrolled in Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she studied under the famous Chinese composer Gang Chen and professor Lu Huang and studied piano under pianist Yijie Niu. Then she continued her composition study in this school for her first Master of Music Degree.

During this time, she attended many concerts and music festivals. She received several honors, such as having her children’s chorus composition, I asked, being performed in Shanghai Concert Hall. In addition, her Chinese ensemble for traditional instruments, The Fantasy of West Lake, was selected in “Young Composers, New Compositions Concert” for Shanghai Spring International Music Festival. In 2007, two of her compositions, Soul of the Great Wall and Exploration, both won “San Carlo Cup” Excellent Small and Median Scale Piano Works Entry Award in 2007. In remembrance of the 80th anniversary of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, her composition Gemini was selected at New Music Concert and was performed in Shanghai Luting He Concert Hall. In 2012, she was invited to attend the 5th New Music Week in Shanghai and her chamber orchestra work, Mind Moves with Consciousness, was premiered by Holland “Ensemble Insomnio” and won “Excellent Sight-Reading Composition Award”. In the same year, she worked with conductor Guoyong Zhang and Shanghai Opera House Symphony Orchestra to premiere her piano concerto work Grace as the pianist. Besides studying composition and piano in Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she studied conducting and cello as her elective courses.

Ms. Hu was accepted by Manhattan School of Music in New York, U.S. in 2015 to continue her second Master of Music composition study. she was under the guidance of famous German composer Reiko Füting and Korean pianist Kayoung An. In 2016, Ms. Hu was invited to compose a theme song, Asia-Pacific Eagle, for “Asia-Pacific Lunar New Year Concert”, performed in Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. and took part as the accompanist. Also, she was invited to participate in United Nation’s “2016 ICCC International Student Design Competition Awards Ceremony and Concerts” and performed repertoires from classical Chinese and Western music with other musicians. On March 13rd, Ms. Hu was invited to be one of the conductors and arrangers for “Asian Cultural Symphony of The USA” in the Final of “2016 SUPERNOVA Singing Contest” at Queens Theater. In addition, she received invitations from “Cortona Sessions for New Music” and “International Music Festival of Adriatic” in Italy and invitation from “Zodiac Music Academy & Festival” in France and she went to Europe to present her solo and chamber works, such as Zodiac’s Celebration Day - for Flute and Clarinet in B-Flat, Three Memories of Teenage Years - for Ensembles Movement I: Silver Hair commissioned by Zodiac Trio, Ecology — for String Quartet commissioned by Semiosis Quartet, Modern Life — for Three Percussionists, and Two Paintings by Picasso — for Solo Alto Saxophone. On February 3rd, 2017, her new orchestra composition The Epitome of Musée du Louvre was premiered by Manhattan School of Music Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of George Manahan who enjoys a high reputation in America who enjoys a high reputation in America. Zhihua Hu got her second Master Degree form Manhattan School of Music in May, 2017. In the same year, she received the invitation from Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA to rearrange several songs and perform piano in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. She performed with famous conductor Steven Fang Fei, famous Shanghai Singer Henry Huo Zun and Lin Bao, Suona master performer Yazhi Guo，and Peking Opera singer Li Jun, etc. On October 2017, she founded “THROUGH THE NOISE Contemporary Concert Series" which she would dedicate it to be an important contemporary concert series in NYC. In May, 2017,  as the producer and the artistic director, she organized the first “THROUGH THE NOISE Contemporary Concert" — an Evening of New Solo & Chamber Works with famous German composer Reiko Füting and the artists from west and east in Chris Chapel Hall, Riverside Church in Manhattan. In the concert, she presented her composition Compression - for Solo Flute performed by Leia Slosberg. In March 2018, she held the second “THROUGH THE  NOISE Contemporary  Concert — New Solo & Chamber Works with Electronics” with Chinese and Western Musicians in The National Opera Center/OPERA America, and she premiered her new ensemble work Three Memories of Teenage Years — for Ensembles Movement II: Nacht with Amber Evans (Soprano), Feifei Yang (Erhu/Vocal) and Jon Clancy (Percussion).

Ms. Hu’s Debut Album “Music of Zhihua Hu” was released in March of 2018. The album includes three chamber works and one symphony that she composed. As a pianist, she performed and recorded three solo & ensemble works. Every composition on this album has different style, from Classical Style, Contemporary Music, Avant-garde Gender to the Combination of Chinese and Western Style. In May 2018, the Album “Music of Zhihua Hu” won the “Global Music Awards” — Silver Metal Outstanding Achievement, including Three Awards: Composition/Composer, Instrumental/Instrumentalist, and Emerging Artist Awards.

On July 9th of 2018, Ms. Hu successfully debuted her “MUSIC OF ZHIHUA HU — An Evening of Ensemble and Piano Compositions” with a number of other well-known artists from different countries in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Her eight ensemble and piano compositions, composed in different years, were presented in the concert and most works featured her creative music theories and composing techniques: Chinese Nine Tone Scale, Compression Rhythm, and Cubism in Music.

On September 15th of 2018, Zhihua Hu was invited by Music Director & Conductor Steven Fang Fei to rearrange music for the orchestra again and perform with Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. As a pianist, she performed The Golden Steel-Smelting Furnace with Taiwanese violinist Pei-Wen Liao and Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA.

On March 12th of 2019, Zhihua Hu successfully led multi-national composers and performers to hold “THROUGH THE NOISE Contemporary Concert Series III — New Solo, Duet and Ensemble Works” in Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center. In this concert, Ms. Hu presented her two new works Woman Who Wears Qipao Dress premiered by Feifei Yang (Erhu/Vocal), Chen Fan (Pipa), Wei Sun (Guzheng), Zhihua Hu herself (Piano) and Harmony - for Double Duets premiered by Duo SORE | YURE (Iván Solano, Clarinet in B-Flat/Vocal; Yui Sakagoshi, Alto Saxophone/Vocal). Besides, as a pianist, she performed Une Seconde Infinie - for Solo Piano composed by Iván Solano (Spain) and Track One: Intro - for Double Piano composed by James Diaz (Colombia) , collaborating with pianist Kaiwei Zhi. On March 17th, her composition Harmony - for Double Duets was performed again by Duo SORE | YURE in MISE-En_Place Bushwick. In March and April, Zhihua Hu were invited to be one of the judges for the Semi-Final and the Final of “The New York Stars Children’s Talent Show Debut”.

From April 2019, Zhihua Hu got more and more exciting opportunities to work with more excellent musicians and present her works in different venues. In April 12th, her chamber work Harmony - for Double Duets was premiered in Tokyo, Japan by Duo SORE | YURE again in Ryogoku Monten Hall. On May 17th, Ms. Hu premiered her new work Nine Tone Trio — for Two Players (Hichiriki & Clarinet in B-Flat and Piano) with famous American clarinetist and hichiriki performer Thomas Piercy.

Besides, Zhihua Hu was invited to be one the judges for “The New York Stars Children’s Talent Show Debut” Semi-Finals and Finals in March and April, 2019.

On August 5th of 2019, Zhihua Hu successfully released her second CD “From China, Asia to the West”. The album is comprised of ten works that composer & pianist Zhihua Hu composed in recent years. The genre of this album is diverse. Most compositions on this album feature Ms. Hu's creative compositing techniques "Compression Rhythm" and "Chinese Nine Tone Scale”. As a pianist, Zhihua Hu had performed and recorded all the compositions with piano parts on this album. In the same month, the Album “From China, Asia to the West” won the “Global Music Awards” — Silver Metal Outstanding Achievement again, including Three Awards: Classical Avant-Garde, Album, and Composition/Composer Awards. This is the second time that Ms. Hu won the “Global Music Awards”. Additionally, in September 2019, the Album “From China, Asia to the West” was awarded as one of the “Top Ten Albums of Fall 2019” by “Global Music Awards”.

On September 6th of 2019, Zhihua Hu was invited by Music Director & Conductor Steven Fang Fei again to rearrange music for the orchestra and perform with Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. As a pianist, she performed Peking Opera “Morning Sun in Heart from Climbing Mountain Tiger” with Peking Opera singer Li Jun and Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center .

Since November 2019, as Composer in Residence & Assistant Conductor, Zhihua Hu had several exciting concert events working and performing with CMENY (Chinese Music Ensemble of New York), including “First Saturdays: Crossing Asian America” Concert Event for celebrating the “Reopening Ceremony of Asia Pavilion” in Brooklyn Museum on November 2nd and "The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York 2019 Community Concert” on November 17th.

On November 2nd, Zhihua Hu cooperated with an excellent group of Chinese and Western artists including William Chinn (Chinese Drum), Gabriel Elias Costache (Bass Drum) , Chen Hagen (Pipa), Zhihua Hu (Tam-tam), (Wei Sun (Guzheng), Katelyn Weng (Bangdi), Feifei Yang (Erhu/Vocal) , Thomas Piercy (Clarinet in B-Flat) and Yazhi Guo (Suona) to present her ensemble compositions Chinese and Western, Woman Who Wears Qipao Dress, and Beautifully Decorated Se in “First Saturdays: Crossing Asian America” for celebrating the “Reopening Ceremony of Asia Pavilion” in Brooklyn Museum. On November 17th, Zhihua Hu cooperated with Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, conducting and performing her Chinese ensemble composition The Fantasy of West Lake Movement I: Spring Dawn at Su Causeway and Movement III: Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge with CMENY musicians in “The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York 2019 Community Concert” successfully.

On December 27th of 2020, Zhihua Hu’s Chinese and Western Modern Chamber Music Heroine + Woman Who Wears Qipao Dress were performed by CMENY musicians in The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York 2020 Online Community Concert: “Music of Gratitude &Hope”. In May 2021, she was granted as the Composition Committee Member of Chinese Ensemble Music of New York. On June 27th of 2021, she performed her composition Beautifully Decorated Se - Vocal and Chinese Ensemble Version with CMENY musicians in The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York 2021 Online Summer Concert: “Celebrate Diversity Through Music”. Additionally, as a pianist, she performed Zhongruan Concerto “Reminiscences of Yunnan” with Zhongruan performer Yueqin Chen in this concert.

Since October 2019, Zhihua Hu was invited by Thomas Piercy to premiere/perform her music works in “Tokyo to New York Concert Series” founded by Thomas Piercy. On October 25th, Ms. Hu premiered her composition Autumn Wind Movement I. Autumn - for Clarinet in B-Flat and Piano with Thomas Piercy at Bargemusic. In November 2020, young Japanese pianist Shiochiro Tanaka and Thomas Piercy premiered Ms. Hu’s Flower Guardian at “Tokyo to New York - Moments in This Time Concert”. In May 2021, young Japanese Koto performer Jun Ando, Thomas Piercy and Zhihua Hu premiered her Autumn Wind Movement III. Missing… - for for Clarinet in B-Flat, Koto and Piano at “Tokyo to New York - Music : Dance Festival”. In October 2021, Ms. Hu’s composition Flower Guardian was performed again by young Japanese pianist Marina Iwao and Thomas Piercy at “Tokyo to New York - Moments in This Time Concert”. In October 2023, Flower Guardian was performed again by Ms. Marina Iwao and Mr. Thomas Piercy at Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus.

Besides concert events in America and Japan, Zhihua also got music work commissions from Europe in the year of 2021. In March 23rd 2021, her chamber work Autumn Wind Movement I. Autumn - for Clarinet in B-Flat and Piano was selected and planed to be performed as one of music works in Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra 2021-2022 Chamber Music Concerts at Musikkitalo Concert Hall - Helsinki Music Center and Malmitalo Cultural Center. In 2021, her new work L’ Amour - for Soprano, Percussion and Piano was commissioned by young percussionist Kexin Li. The work was premiered by Ziyi Dai, Kexin Li and Vénélina Neuquelman in Kexin Li Master's Graduation Recital which was held at Geneva Music Conservatory on June 10th of 2021 .

On December 12th, as Composer & Pianist, Zhihua was invited performing and having a conversation at “Common Ground: Mini-Global Mashup #4 - US Aprica Mets China Concert” with Vocalist/Huqin performer Ms. Feifei Yang and Jazz musician Mr. Newman Taylor Baker at Flushing Town Hall. In this concert, Zhihua performed a number of original songs that she composed: Love Gone By, Woman Who Wears Qipao Dress and You Will Never Be Alone, several Chinese classical music including “Jasmine Flower”, “The Moon Represent My Heart” and the classical Christmas songs: “Silent Night” , “Jingle Bell” and “Santa Baby” with Ms. Feifei Yang and Mr. Newman Taylor.

In January 2022, as composer & pianist, Zhihua Hu officially joined in Random Access Music (RAM) and Queens New Music Festival (QNMF). She premiered and performed her new vocal and ensemble work Reborn - for Soprano, Flute, Calrinet in B-Flat, Violin, Cello and Piano with soprano Risa Renae Harman, flutist Emily Duncan, clarinetist Thomas Piercy, violinist Russell Kotcher, and cellist Lukas Goodman in two Random Access Music 2022 Spring Concerts at The National Opera Center/OPERA America and Culture Lab LIC respectively, and she premiered her new music work Don’t Leave Me Alone - for Baritone, Clarinet in B-Flat, Cello and Piano with baritone Seth Gilman , clarinetist Thomas Piercy and cellist Daniel Hass in the Queens New Music Festival 2022 Concert. In May 2023, She composed new ensemble work The Legend of Magpie Bridge (The Cowherd and The Weaver Girl) - for Flute, Ryuteki, Clarinet in B-Flat, Hichiriki, Violin, Cello, Tingsha Bells and Piano, and she premiered it with fluteist/ryuteki performer Lish Lindsey, clarinetist/hichiriki performer Thomas Piercy, violinist Sabina Torosjan, and cellist Molly Aronson in the Queens New Music Festival 2023 Concert at Secret Theatre. In November 2023, “RAM Sonics” , composed by RAM composers Seth Boustead , Zhihua Hu, Beata Moon, and Frances White, performed by Lish Lindsey (flute/ryuteki), Thomas Piercy (hichiriki), Zichao Liu (trumpet), Seth Gilman (voice), Frances White (electronics), Seth Boustead (percussion), Zhihua Hu (percussion), and Beata Moon (percussion) was world premiered at Culture Lab at The Plaxall Gallery.

Besides, in the same year, Zhihua Hu was invited by US - China Music Institute at Bard College Conservatory of Music being as the resident composer of The Bard East/West Ensemble. Ms. Hu arranged American folk song “Oh, Shenandoah” and “One Hand, One Heart & Make Our Garden Grow” from American musical “West Side Story” and “Candide” for The Bard East/West Ensemble. On April 16, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. EST, led by conductor and artistic director Cai Jindong, The Bard East/West Ensemble made its debut at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, presenting a concert that blends Eastern and Western instruments. The theme of this concert is the global tour of the "COAL + ICE" documentary photography exhibition and the large-scale climate. The debuted concert of The Bard East/West Ensemble received enthusiastic response from the audience and achieved unprecedented success.

As a composer and pianist, so far, Zhihua Hu and her music has been interviewed and reported by many major media at home and abroad, such as Xinhua News Agency, Sohu News, China Daily, Global Times, China Press, World Journal, Skope Magazine, Asian Culture Council, New Music USA, Sino TV, Sino Vision, New York Lounge, Broadway World, Japan Culture • NYC, I Care If You Listen, New York Chinese Radio Network, Composer’s Voice Concert Series, and Manhattan Neighborhood Network, etc.

In addition, Zhihua Hu has given guidance in ABRSM and NYSSMA examinations for several years. She has been a Piano and Composition Faculty at Tian Song Musical Arts since 2016. She had given her three piano and music theory studio classes at the Recital Hall of Tian Song Musical Arts in the year of 2016, 2018 and 2019 which attracted a lot of students to attend in. Zhihua Hu had also been invited to be one of the judges and performing artists for “Tian Song Musical Arts Music Competition Awards Ceremony & Winners Concert” in the year of 2018, 2019 and 2020. Meanwhile, Zhihua Hu has been as a Piano and Music Theory Faculty at Musipire New York Music School & Academy since 2017. Since 2022, Zhihua Hu joined in Music To Your Home and The Music Box as a Music & Piano Instructor. In addition, in the middle of January 2022, Zhihua Hu was auditioned by pianist Dr. Jerzy Stryjniak and musicologist Mrs. Joanna Stryjniak, then she enrolled in The New York Conservatory of Music as a Composition & Piano Faculty.

During her academic and teaching time in New York Conservatory of Music since 2022, Zhihua Hu premiered and performed her compositions, including her two music works Autumn Wind Movement III. Missing - Solo Piano Version and Ruyi Niang - Inspired by Empress Wu's Homonymous Poem - Solo Piano Version which were premiered at Lang Recital Hall of Hunter College (CUNY), respectively in The NYCM 2022 Winter Recital and The NYCM 2023 Spring Recital. And, she performed her composition Exploration - for Solo Piano again in The NYCM Concert at Steinway Hall on May 3rd, 2023. On November 5th of 2023, Zhihua Hu performed her composition Soul of The Great Wall - for Solo Piano again as the last program in Carnegie Hall for The New York Conservatory of Music 25th Anniversary Concert.